Konjac (which i know as konyaku) - sharing a tip!

trudijoy
trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi all

From my time living in Japan I remembered this product, and i've found it in a Western style supermarket today and thought I'd share it.

The product is called konjac http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konjac but I know it as konyaku and prefer it as ito-konyaku. It resembles noodles, can be used as noodles or as pasta, has practically zero calories and is filling. SO if you're struggling to keep down calories maybe look into it? It's super common with girls in Japan as a diet food and it's gluten, soy, animal product etc free. Tonight I mixed a packet up with pomodoro sauce, precooked chicken and a bit of cheddar, with a salad, and it was yum.

Anyway, if you're interested, check it out :)

Replies

  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Miracle noodles some may know them as. There have been some mega threads on them.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    i just started on the message boards today - miracle noodles? haha nice.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    sooooo....what are they actually made of then?
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    i've always seen it translated as yam. It's a tuber, anyway. High in fiber but low in literally everything else.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Welcome to the boards then!

    I like to use them in Asian dishes in place of rice noodles. I don't eat them a lot but they are handy when you are short on calories at times.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    haha thanks.
  • graceangelina
    graceangelina Posts: 11
    Wow, this is fascinating. which major supermarkets can i buy these konyaku noodles? or are they only in whole foods or can only order them online?
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    i live in NZ so I'm probably not much help in that respect sorry. I got them at New World which is a standard every day supermarket here but i'm going to check my local fave Japanese shops for them too.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    In australia they are under the name of slim pasta or slim noodles located in the health food isle of coles supermarkets. They are great.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    yup thats the brand I got today. :) precooked and SO easy. not cheap at $5 kiwi a pack but still not too bad for one pack/2 meals a week
  • JUDDDing
    JUDDDing Posts: 1,367 Member
    They are also called Shirataki noodles and are widely available (although sometimes hard to get in the winter - they can't be frozen) in Asian markets in the US.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    thats them :)
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    Edible =/= food, if it cannot be digested it is not nutritious so I don't know why you would post this on the Food and Nutrition board.
  • JUDDDing
    JUDDDing Posts: 1,367 Member
    Edible =/= food, if it cannot be digested it is not nutritious so I don't know why you would post this on the Food and Nutrition board.

    So, fiber is not food? Funny, the doctor keeps telling me to eat more fiber...

    Sometimes getting no nutrition from something is better than the alternatives.
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    Edible =/= food, if it cannot be digested it is not nutritious so I don't know why you would post this on the Food and Nutrition board.

    So, fiber is not food? Funny, the doctor keeps telling me to eat more fiber...

    Sometimes getting no nutrition from something is better than the alternatives.

    I believe fibre is technically a non nutritive or indigestible carbohydrate or non starch polysaccharide, it's not classed as a regular macronutrient because it passes right through undigested and is effectively calorie free.

    Hopefully your doctor is trying to get you to eat more fibre rich wholefoods (fruit, veg, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, wholegrains) - supplementing with fibre only can bind and sweep micronutrients out of the body so should usually only be undertaken with medical advice. Basically excessive fibre can sometimes act as an anti nutrient so it's not necessarily better than the alternatives.

    /dry biology lesson.
  • JossFit
    JossFit Posts: 588 Member
    I love the miracle noodles and tofu shirtake noodles to bulk up meals (when I'm not in comp. prep) and I also buy it in powder form. I add the powder to shakes and sauces to thicken them up without any extra calories... it's pretty handy!
  • graceangelina
    graceangelina Posts: 11
    Thank you. I'm from the US so i'll check my local asian markets!
  • sofielein
    sofielein Posts: 539 Member
    Oh, I was hoping this thread was about Cognac! :D
  • Jaulen
    Jaulen Posts: 468 Member
    Edible =/= food, if it cannot be digested it is not nutritious so I don't know why you would post this on the Food and Nutrition board.

    So, fiber is not food? Funny, the doctor keeps telling me to eat more fiber...

    Sometimes getting no nutrition from something is better than the alternatives.



    So you'd eat sawdust?



    As to the OP, I tried them once. Found them to be slimy, and funny smelling (even after rinsing per package directions).
  • JUDDDing
    JUDDDing Posts: 1,367 Member
    Edible =/= food, if it cannot be digested it is not nutritious so I don't know why you would post this on the Food and Nutrition board.

    So, fiber is not food? Funny, the doctor keeps telling me to eat more fiber...

    Sometimes getting no nutrition from something is better than the alternatives.


    So you'd eat sawdust?

    Well, it sounds less appealing than "Cellulose" when you say it like that - but sure.
  • SyntonicGarden
    SyntonicGarden Posts: 944 Member
    Konyaku noodles are not the same as shiritaki.

    There are actually two different products in the states. There are the shiritaki noodles that are made of tofu (and are about 40 calories for the whole bag) and then there are the Konjac noodles, which are also sometimes referred to as shiritaki noodles. The konjac noodles, as the OP (original poster) pointed out, are made out of a yam and contain no soy. Shiritaki noodles (especially the ones that Skinnygirl promotes) are made of tofu.

    The shiritaki noodles can usually be found in either the produce section or the "health food" section of major grocery stores. They run about $2 a bag by me.

    The konjac noodles on the other hand seem to be sold in asian grocery stores, in the refrigerated cases, near the wonton wrappers, tofu skin, and kimchi. Konjac noodles have fewer calories than shiritaki and have a different consistency. Shiritaki have a weird gumminess to them whereas konjac noodles are less chewy and are closer to rice vermicelli (also from the asian grocery store) . I like the Skirakiku brand. They also make konyaku cakes that can be sliced and pan fried.

    Both types of noodle stink when you open the bag, so both type need to be rinsed and probably cooked / sauteed /pan fried / microwaved for a minute or two to get rid of the stink.

    Hope that helps.
  • Dreamerlove
    Dreamerlove Posts: 441 Member
    Thanks!
  • JUDDDing
    JUDDDing Posts: 1,367 Member
    Konyaku noodles are not the same as shiritaki.

    There are actually two different products in the states. There are the shiritaki noodles that are made of tofu (and are about 40 calories for the whole bag) and then there are the Konjac noodles, which are also sometimes referred to as shiritaki noodles. The konjac noodles, as the OP (original poster) pointed out, are made out of a yam and contain no soy. Shiritaki noodles (especially the ones that Skinnygirl promotes) are made of tofu.

    Here (US/Midwest) we have "tofu shiritaki" and "shiritaki". The "shiritaki" are just yam.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirataki_noodles - It sounds like there used to be a difference, but not really any more (shape only).
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    Edible =/= food, if it cannot be digested it is not nutritious so I don't know why you would post this on the Food and Nutrition board.

    So, fiber is not food? Funny, the doctor keeps telling me to eat more fiber...

    Sometimes getting no nutrition from something is better than the alternatives.

    I believe fibre is technically a non nutritive or indigestible carbohydrate or non starch polysaccharide, it's not classed as a regular macronutrient because it passes right through undigested and is effectively calorie free.

    Hopefully your doctor is trying to get you to eat more fibre rich wholefoods (fruit, veg, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, wholegrains) - supplementing with fibre only can bind and sweep micronutrients out of the body so should usually only be undertaken with medical advice. Basically excessive fibre can sometimes act as an anti nutrient so it's not necessarily better than the alternatives.

    /dry biology lesson.

    if it's being used as a carrier for healthy sauces or filler for in dishes in lieu of pasta or noodles which are higher calorie, AND it's been eaten for centuries in Asia where they know quite a lot about nutrition themselves what makes you think that your opinion is the only worthwhile one here? Thanks for your input.
  • sheilsun
    sheilsun Posts: 47
    HI everyone, my favorite is Miracle Noodle. I rinse well, sometimes boil for about a minute, that eliminates the smell. They have no tofu, calories, or carbs and come in so many shapes! Great receipes on their Facebook page too. If you order online today and tomorrow, they have a 13%discount on all products for their customers all over the world to celebrate Australia Day..good until midnight Monday. try it..www.miraclenoodle.com..i used their code "aus13" So what are they made of... naturally water soluble fiber with no fat, sugar, or starch.Contain zero net carbohydrates and zero calories, no gluten -made of a healthy natural fiber called Glucomannan. I use them in soup alot and other dishes using lots of my favoirte sauces, which sometimes are over the top, however very delicious!! Hope this helps. Anyone on this blog for Australia, Happy Australia Day!!

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